The win puts the Thunder (55-20) a half-game behind the Spurs (56-20) for the top seed in the Western Conference.

“It’s important for us to play well at the right time of the season,” Durant said to Turner Sports after the game. “This is a great, great team (Spurs)…they’re missing a few guys. We just wanted to come out here and get better, and I think we did.”

The Spurs, who have lost Manu Ginobili to a strained hamstring for what sounds like the rest of the month, had to play the final seven minutes of the game without Tony Parker, who was dealing with a shin injury.

The Thunder will now head to Indianapolis for a Friday night showdown with the Pacers.

The Spurs, who lost for the third time in four games, get a day off before they host the Atlanta Hawks Saturday.